Transcending the boundaries of religion, K J Yesudas, who celebrates his 80th birthday today, has literally become the voice of all religions.
In a career spanning nearly 60 years, Yesudas gave his mesmerizing voice to many Hindu, Christian and Muslim devotional songs through movies and albums. His divine voice and languid singing has provided distinctive charm to the prayer songs and brought an aesthetic appeal to the genre of devotional songs.
Yesudas is the true icon of India's secularism and we believe his contributions should be celebrated at a time when the country is passing through a turbulent period. So, listen to our selection of Yesudas' 10 best devotional songs. Onmanorama wishes the divine singer a happy birthday.
1. Song: Harivarasanam
Movie: Swami Ayyappan (1975)
Musician: G Devarajan
2. Song: Nithyavishudhayam kanyamariyame
Movie: Nadhi (1969)
Musician: G Devarajan
3. Song: Rasoole nin kanivale
Movie: Sanchaari (1981)
Musician: K J Yesudas
4. Song: Saranamayyappa swamee
Movie: Chembarathi (1972)
Musician: G Devarajan
5. Song: Rakshaka ente papabharam
Album: Vachanam
Musician: Tomin Thachankary
6. Song: Allavin karunyam illenkil bhoomiyil
Movie: Yatheem (1977)
Musician: MS Baburaj
7. Song: Guruvayoorambalanadayil
Movie: Othenente Makan (1970)
Musician: G Devarajan
8. Song: Oru neramenkilum kaanathe
Album: Thulasi Theertham (1986)
Musician: T S Radhakrishnan
9. Song: Karunamayane kaval vilakke
Movie: Oru Maravathoor Kanavu (1998)
Musician: Vidyasagar
10. Song: Swami sangeetham aalapikkum
Album: Ayyappa Gaanangal Vol.2 by Tarangini (1982)
Musician: Alleppy Ranganath